System, method and apparatus for directed LED display

ABSTRACT

The present invention is an optical LED light display incorporating one or more louvers operable to limit the light emission in a specified direction from a LED diode within the LED light display, each louvers being positioned in relation to each LED light element in the LED light display. The specified direction of the light emission may be towards a target audience or a target direction. A method of the present invention that may be implemented by a software program processed by computer processors of a computer device, may be operable to enable the design of the LED display louver for installation in a specific area to enable simultaneous elimination of light trespass and preservation of image quality for the target audience. A LED light display can be manufactured, configured and installed in accordance with the method.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates in general to the field of LED light displays andmore particularly to directing the light emission from LED lightdisplays.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior art light-emitting diode (LED) light displays are flat paneldisplays that incorporate an array of light-emitting diodes to produce adisplay, for example, such as a visual display of information. Thediodes function as pixels in the display. The brightness of an LED lightdisplay allows it to be used outdoors or indoors. LED light displays arecommonly utilized as store signs, billboards, destination signs onpublic transport vehicles, and for other purposes of displayinginformation to an audience. LED light displays are further utilized toprovide illumination that may be decorative or technical, such as stagelighting or seasonal display lighting.

Generally a LED light display emits light from the entire forward sideof the diodes, and therefore light is emitted from the LED light displayin a hemispherical direction. In fact the purpose of traditional outdoorLED displays used in advertising has been to provide the best imagequality at the widest possible view angles. As a result of this goal,most prior art outdoor LED displays share a few common optical features:wide-angle oval LEDs which provide wide horizontal view angles but acompressed vertical view angles; horizontal louvers on the physicalfaces of the LEDs which provide sun-shading and UV protection for theLEDs and improved visual contrast; and a layout of the red green andblue elements in each pixel in such a way that minimizes cross-blockingbetween pixels. Therefore, most outdoor LED displays have very similaroptical performance across all manufacturers.

The result is that light emission is directed towards a target audience,as well as in the direction of other environments where the targetaudience is not present. Light trespass, which is the emission of lightinto areas where the target audience is not present and where there isno purpose for the light to be emitted, occurs and can in fact be asource of consternation for areas that are sensitive to light trespass.For example, residential neighborhoods, airport facilities, andprotected nature reserves are all areas which are highly intolerant tolight trespass, and traditionally would prevent or block theauthorization for and installation of an LED display.

The prior art includes many different methods and techniques tomanipulate the optical output pattern of LED elements, whether static orchangeable. The prior art can be grouped into three categories: 1) LEDelements for use with luminaires, 2) lenses for lighting elements forimprovement of optical performance by means of increasing lightutilization ratio (i.e., the ratio of light arriving at a targetaudience to a total amount of light emitted), or 3) louvers for theshading of LED diodes from sunlight.

Examples of prior art designed for luminaires includes U.S. Pat. No.8,622,573 for LED Array Beam Control Luminaries, issued to ROBE Lightings.r.o. on Jan. 7, 2014, and US Patent Application Publication No.2015/0192274 (patent application Ser. No. 14/148,546 filed Jan. 6,2014), owned by Frantisek Kubis and Pavel Jurik on publication date Jul.9, 2015. This patent and patent application disclose inventions thatseek to use an optical cover design to mitigate some of the opticaldisadvantage of an LED array luminaire, namely color fringing, beamangle control and light spill management. Such LED array luminaires areconfigured to typically include many LED elements within one reflectiveenclosure. Thus, the configuration differs from LED displays that areconfigured to incorporate elements in a planar grid that areindividually exposed without a cover.

The second category of prior art includes LED optics applied toindividual LED diodes, such as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,603,243for LED Light Source with Field-of-View-Controlling Optics, issued toTeledyne Technologies Incorporated on Aug. 5, 2003. An LED element isdisclosed that incorporates an integrated lens and internal opticalreflectors. The LED element is utilized to focus light output slightlydownward to target the intended audience, and to improve efficiency bymaximizing the light utilization ratio.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,347,644 for Lens and Light Source Unit, issued to SharpKabushiki Kaisha on May 24, 2016, further discloses the integration of alens cap upon each LED diode. The lens cap is used to guide the lightsource to highly oblique directions from the light source, or further tosplit the output of light into multiple non-continuous directions.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,848,139 for Optical Member, Light Source Apparatus,Display Apparatus, and Terminal Apparatus, issued to NLT Technologies,Ltd. on Sep. 30, 2014, discloses various designs for a Fresnel lenscover sheet to be used for the purpose of focusing light output to adesired observation point to maximize the light utilization ratio whilemaintaining image uniformity. This is achieved by the optical design ofcovers residing on top of Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) assemblies. Thisprior art pertains only to small-scale displays such as computermonitors, mobile phones, and other terminal displays. This technologycannot be applied reasonably to a large format LED display. This is sobecause a large format LED display is not a planar light emitter, and itis not mechanically feasible to apply this prior art to an LED displaydue to the 2-3 orders of magnitude increase in size compared to a LCD.

U.S. Pat. No. 868,677 for Directionally Filtered Indicator Light, issuedto The Boeing Company on Apr. 1, 2014, that discloses a directionallyfiltered indicator light that incorporates a directional filter appliedto a light source. The light is controlled to emit light when acondition or series of conditions are met. The directional filterregulates the transmission of light from the light source such that afirst group of individuals located within a viewing angle are the onlyindividuals able to see the transmitted light.

United Kingdom patent publication no. GB2417817 for Traffic Signals,owned by AGD Systems Ltd. as of publication date Aug. 26, 2009,discloses a pedestrian traffic signal having a housing that contains alight source. The housing further incorporate a viewing angle controlscreen formed of a flat material. This invention is operable to affectthe viewability of the traffic signal from particular viewing angles bya pedestrians.

The third category of prior art includes louvers that shade LEDs fromsunlight to provide protection to the LEDs from mechanical and sundamage, as well as to improve visual contrast of the display. Someexamples of such patents include U.S. Pat. No. 9,202,394 for Method andDesign for Shading in a Display System, issued to Barco NV on Dec. 1,2015, which discloses a louver design and attachment mechanism that isconnected to the LED elements themselves. (Traditionally louvers arefastened to the module body.) Another prior art example is U.S. Pat. No.8,350,788 for Louver Panel for Electronic Sign, issued to Daktronics,Inc. on Jun. 8, 2013, that discloses louvers that protect LEDs fromsunlight and visually camouflage the seams between LED modules. Afurther prior art example is US Patent Application Publication No.2008/0141570 for Thermoplastic Elastomer Protective Louver Covering forUse with an Electronic Display Module (patent application Ser. No.11/589,405 filed Oct. 30, 2006), owned by Daktronics Inc. upon thepublication date of Jun. 19, 2008, that discloses the use of anelastomer material for the construction of louvers to increase impactresistance and reduce harm to a person coming into forceful contact withthe display face. As an example, this prior art is a football fieldperimeter display. These three prior art examples describe variouslouvers configured to solve specialized problems, however, none of theseprior art examples solve the problem of minimizing light trespass whilepreserving image quality for the intended audience of a LED lightdisplay.

As a further prior art example, Yaham Optoelectronics™ produces atechnology wherein a sheet of arrayed lenses is attached to the front ofan LED module to collimate light from wide-directional Surface MountDevice (SMD) LEDs into a narrower beam. This prior art aims to improvelight utilization ratio while at simultaneously limiting off-angleoutput. One drawback of this prior art technology is that it haslimitations for use with SMD LEDs due to the much tighter manufacturingtolerances achievable. Another drawback of this prior art technology isthat it creates an extra surface for sunlight reflection from thelenses, which significantly compromises the contrast and image qualityof the display. This is considered acceptable in this prior artapplication as it is used with Highway Variable Message Signs that onlyindicate text messages or directional messages. Such signs do notincorporate images, such as advertising images. Yet another drawback ofthis prior art, from a light trespass perspective, is that the beam isfocused up to a point, and it can only achieve a reduction of lighttrespass to the side and cannot achieve elimination of light trespass.

There is presently a proliferation of LED displays employed to provideadvertisements around the world, including along roadsides. Therefore,what is needed is a LED light display, and a system operable to createand/or position a LED light display, that is operable to: (i) minimizelight trespass into unintended areas to address light trespass for lightsensitive areas located near such LED displays, and to address theincreasing effort by local governments to regulate and restrict theinstallations of such LED displays; and (ii) block light emission indirections that require protection, while preserving quality of image inthe direction of the intended audience. What is further needed is, anLED light display that is designed to achieve the reduction of lighttrespass in the horizontal directions in digital displays, whilesimultaneously achieving (and not compromising) the industry goldstandard in optical performance as experienced the intended targetaudience. What is yet further needed is a LED light display that doesnot have limitations for use with SMD LEDs due to the much tightermanufacturing tolerances achievable, and can function with Dual InlinePin (DIP) oval LEDs. What is still further needed is a LED advertisingdisplays that does not interfere with the standard and optimized opticalperformance of the LED elements due to modification of the light outputin the intended view direction, and that fully blocks direct lightoutput in the light trespass direction instead of merely reducing it.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a LED light displayapparatus comprising: a printed circuit board (PCB) positioned; one ormore LED diodes connected to the PCB; one or more blocking elements,each of the one or more blocking elements being positioned proximate toat least one of the one or more LED diodes, whereby light emitted fromone or more LED diodes is blocked in at least one direction; and wherebylight emitted from the LED light display apparatus is blocked in atleast one direction at a range of angles from the front of the LED lightdisplay apparatus in such direction, and said light being viewable asone or more images providing information to a viewer.

The LED light display apparatus further comprising three or more viewingregions in the area surrounding the LED light display apparatus,including at least the following: a first viewing region that is infront of the LED light display apparatus and within a range of anglesfrom the front of the LED light display apparatus wherein light emissionfrom the LED light display apparatus is visible by a viewer; a secondviewing region that is within a range of angles from the front of theLED light display apparatus that is farther from the front of LED lightdisplay apparatus than the first viewing region, wherein light emissionfrom the LED light display apparatus is diminished; and a third viewingregion that is within a range of angles from the front of the LED lightdisplay apparatus that is farther from the front of the LED lightdisplay apparatus than the second viewing region, wherein light emissionfrom the LED light display apparatus is eradicated or nearly-eradicated.

The LED light display apparatus further comprising at least one of theone or more blocking elements being horizontally light blocking louvers.

The LED light display apparatus further comprising the one or moreblocking elements configured to incorporate a section attachable to thePCB, and an arm that extends away from the PCB in the same direction asthe one or more LED diodes extend away from the PCB, said arm beingoperable to block the light from at least a portion of the LED diode itis proximate to in the direction that the light is emitted from the LEDdiode towards the arm of the blocking element.

The LED light display apparatus further comprising the arm of theblocking element being any of the following shapes or configurations:flat sided, semi-circular cupped, or multi-segmented.

The LED light display apparatus further comprising any of the followingelements configured to block light emission from the LED diode that theblocking element is positioned proximate to: a fin, a ridge, and a cup.

The LED light display apparatus further comprising at least one of theone or more blocking elements being reflection minimization louversconfigured to incorporate: a light emission blocking arm operable toblock light emission from the LED diode proximate to the reflectionminimization louver; and a reflection blocking flange angled in relationto the reflection of light emitted from the LED diode to block all or aportion of the such reflection. Therefore, a reflection minimizationlouver can effectively be a form of blocking element that has atraditional louver element that blocks light emission from an LED diodeincorporated with a reflection minimization element that blocks at leasta portion of light emission from a LED diode that is reflected ofanother surface (such as off a surface of a reflection minimizationelement, or a surface of a blocking louver or any other blockingelement).

In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method to modellight emission from a LED light display unit located in an installationsite, comprising the steps of: obtaining a map showing an installationsite; indicating a location of the LED light display unit within theinstallation site; positioning the LED light display at the locationtowards a target audience area; indicating the configuration of the LEDlight display; and generating a light map indicating the light emissionfrom the LED light display unit in relation to the installation site.

The method further comprising the steps of: a user providing one of thefollowing to indicate the location of the LED light display unit in theinstallation site: a GPS coordinate, or a location address; the LEDlight display being positioned at the location by being rotated in anydirection; and the configuration of the LED light display unit beingindicated through input of parameter information by a user

The method further comprising the steps of: overlaying the light mapupon the installation site, whereby the light emission from the LEDlight display unit is indicated in relation to the installation site;the user or the system reviewing the light emission and evaluatingwhether the light emission will affect a light sensitive area in theinstallation site.

The method further comprising the steps of: the user modifying the LEDlight display unit within the installation site to do one of thefollowing: relocate, reposition and reconfigure the LED light displaywithin the installation site; generating a light map indicating thelight emission from the modified LED light display unit in relation tothe installation site; overlaying the light map upon the installationsite, whereby the light emission from the LED light display unit isindicated at the installation site; and the user or the system reviewingthe light emission and evaluating whether the light emission will affecta light sensitive area in the installation site.

The method further comprising the step of indicating one or morelocations within the installation site, and evaluating the lightemission shown on the light map in relation to the one or morelocations.

The method further comprising the step of the light map indicating twoor more viewing regions in the installation site, including at least thefollowing: a first viewing region that is in front of the LED lightdisplay unit and within a range of angles from the front of the LEDlight display unit, wherein light emission from the LED light displayunit is visible by a viewer; a second viewing region that is within arange of angles from the front of the LED light display unit that isfarther from the front of LED light display unit than the first viewingregion, wherein light emission from the LED light display unit isdiminished; and a third viewing region that is within a range of anglesfrom the front of the LED light display unit that is farther from thefront of LED light display unit than the second viewing region, whereinlight emission from the LED light display unit is eradicated ornearly-eradicated

The method further comprising the step of a computer program beinggenerated that is operable to perform the steps of the method, saidcomputer program being operable by the processors of a computing devicethat is connected to an input device, whereby a user of the method caninput information to the computer program and such computer program canutilize such information.

The method further comprising the step of generating output thatprovides information regarding light emission from the LED light displayunit as one of the following: a report, or a display.

The method further comprising the step of generating the report to be ina format required by a third party and transmitting the report to thethird party.

The method further comprising the step of providing and utilizingparameter information for the configuration of the LED light displayunit that includes one or more of the following: configuration of one ormore blocking elements each being positioned proximate to at least oneLED diode, and pixel arrangement within the LED light display unit.

In yet another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method ofconfiguring a LED light display, comprising the steps of: determining atarget audience area in front of the LED light display being an areawherein light emission from one or more LED diodes in the LED lightdisplay is to be viewable; determining in reference to the targetaudience area the type of one or more blocking elements to beincorporated in the LED light display, each blocking element beingpositioned proximate to one of the one or more LED diodes in the LEDlight display and blocking at least a portion of the light emission fromthe LED diode in at least one direction; and determining in reference tothe target audience area the pixel layout of the one or more LED diodesand one or more blocking elements in the LED light display; whereby theLED light display is configured such that light emission from the LEDlight display is visible in the target audience area and such lightemission forms information, one or more images, or a combination ofinformation and one or more images.

The method of configuring the LED light display comprising the furthersteps of: identifying any light sensitive area in an installation sitewhere the LED light display is to be installed; generating a light mapshowing the light emission from the LED light display, and displayingsaid light map in relation to the installation site; determining iflight emission will reach any light sensitive area in the installationsite, such as to represent light trespass; determining any modificationof location, position or configuration of the LED light display to causelight emission to not reach any light sensitive area, and to reach thetarget audience area in an installation site so as to provide maximumviewing quality of the information that the light emission is configuredto project to a viewer in said target viewing area, to thereby model,simulate and plan the installation of the LED light display unit at theinstallation site; and generating one or more reports, including any ofthe following: a report of the location, position and configuration ofthe LED light display and providing said report to a third party builderof LED light displays; and a report of the location, position andconfiguration of the LED light display and the light emission therefromand providing said report to a third party approver of LED light displayinstallation at the installation site.

The method of configuring the LED light display further comprising thestep of a computer program being generated that is operable to performthe steps of the method, said computer program being operable by theprocessors of a computing device that is connected to an input device,whereby a user of the method can input information to the computerprogram and such computer program can utilize such information.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of theinvention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited in its application to the details of construction and to thearrangements of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein are for the purpose of description and should not beregarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects of the inventionwill become apparent when consideration is given to the followingdetailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to theannexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a section of a LED light display ofan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2a is a perspective view of a LED light display of an embodiment ofthe present invention viewed from the front.

FIG. 2b is a perspective view of a LED light display of an embodiment ofthe present invention viewed from a side angle.

FIG. 2c is a perspective view of a LED light display of an embodiment ofthe present invention viewed from a greater side angle than shown inFIG. 2 b.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a section of a LED light display ofan embodiment of the present invention showing reflections arriving at aviewer in the protected region.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a section of a LED light display ofan embodiment of the present invention incorporating reflectionminimization louvers.

FIG. 5a is a front view of a section of a LED light display of anembodiment of the present invention showing an example of a pixel layoutpattern incorporating blocking elements.

FIG. 5b is a front view of a section of a LED light display of anembodiment of the present invention showing an example of a pixel layoutpattern incorporating blocking elements.

FIG. 5c is a front view of a section of a LED light display of anembodiment of the present invention showing an example of a pixel layoutpattern incorporating blocking elements.

FIG. 5d is a front view of a section of a LED light display of anembodiment of the present invention showing an example of a pixel layoutpattern incorporating blocking elements.

FIG. 5e is a front view of a section of a LED light display of anembodiment of the present invention showing an example of a pixel layoutpattern incorporating blocking elements.

FIG. 5f is a front view of a section of a LED light display of anembodiment of the present invention showing an example of a pixel layoutpattern incorporating blocking elements.

FIG. 6 is a systems diagram of the system of an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the steps of the method of one embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 8 is a screen shot of an example of information output generated bythe computer software and examples of visualization tools that a usercan utilize to generate a plan of an embodiment of the present inventionfor planning the position of a LED light display in relation to LEDlight display configuration and aspects of an installation site.

FIG. 9a is a plan showing the light emission area from LED light displayof an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9b is a plan showing the light emission area from LED light displayof an embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawings, embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way ofexample. It is to be expressly understood that the description anddrawings are only for the purpose of illustration and as an aid tounderstanding, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is an optical LED light display incorporating oneor more louvers operable to limit the light emission in a specifieddirection from a LED diode within the LED light display, each louversbeing positioned in relation to each LED light element in the LED lightdisplay. The specified direction of the light emission may be towards atarget audience or a target direction. A method of the present inventionthat may be implemented by a software program processed by computerprocessors of a computer device, may be operable to enable the design ofthe LED display louver for installation in a specific area to enablesimultaneous elimination of light trespass and preservation of imagequality for the target audience. A LED light display can bemanufactured, configured and installed in accordance with the method.

The LED light display of the present invention is operable to preventthe light emission into light sensitive areas, while preserving displayimage quality in the direction of targeted viewing. The one or morelouvers of the LED light display are each positioned in relation to oneor more LED lights (diodes) in the LED light display. The louver blocksthe emission of light from the LED light in one or more directions. Theblocking of the light by the louver also defines the direction in whichthe light emission will be allowed. The blocking of the light by thelouver creates separate angle regions from the front and center for theLED light display: for optimal viewing; for light trespass reduction;and an undesirable transition region that is neither good for viewingnor fully protects against light trespass. A method may be operable tooptimize the resulting location of such regions in relation to thelocation and position of a LED light display of a particularconfiguration in an area. The method is implementable by a softwareprogram that incorporates instructions that are processed by processorsof a computer device. The method may operable to determine the optimumconfiguration of the louvers in the LED light display, and installationparameters relating to the LED light display, such as location placementand rotation around a specific installation site. The method may furtherbe operable to provide resulting light impact estimations forpresentation to project stakeholders.

LED light display includes LED digital billboards, signs, LED electronicmessage centers, LED variable message signs, other emissive displayswith discrete light emitting components, and other LED display systemscomprising modular LED panels. The LED light display may be utilized todisplay complex and detailed images.

Louvers may be formed of any material that is not translucent and thathas heat-resistant qualities and characteristics as required for aparticular LED light display configuration. (The level of heat and UVoutput of a LED light display will depend upon its configuration.) Forexample, polycarbonates, elastomer, wood, plastic, or any other materialmay be utilized to form a louver.

The louver configuration of a LED digital display is a mechanical meansto control horizontal light trespass and simultaneously preserve imagequality for the targeted audience. The system and method of the presentinvention further aid in the design of the LED digital display to effecta particular light impact, by allowing for analysis, modeling, planningand presentation of a representation of the LED light display within arepresentation of the installation site. Reports can be generated fromthe software in a variety of forms. As one example, a report may begenerated in the form of light trespass reduction proposal forsubmission to municipal authorities and/or other stakeholders.

As an example of an embodiment of the present invention, an LED lightdisplay to be positioned next to a highway can be configured to directthe light emission from the LED light display to the area of thehighway. The software program can be utilized to determine the optimalposition of the louvers in the LED light display to block light emissionin directions other than the area of the highway. For example, lightemission may be blocked from reaching from any residential buildingsthat are located on the side of the highway near the LED light display.The result is that the LED light display can be utilized to displayinformation to drivers on the highway, but the light will not trespassinto the residential buildings located near the highway. The benefit ofthe present invention in this example is that the occupants of theresidential buildings will not be subject to any significant lighttrespass, and as a result the LED display is far more likely to beapproved for installation in this location.

A skilled reader will recognize that there are potentially many types ofcommunities and environments that may be positioned close to a LED lightdisplay (or a proposed location for a LED light display) from whichlight trespass should be eliminated or diminished. For example, officebuildings, residential communities, airports, rail corridors, wildlifeenvironments, and other areas that have inhabitants or environments thatmay find light from an LED light display unwanted or harmful, maybenefit from the present invention that will block light emission from anearby LED light display from reaching such inhabitants or environments.

The term “blocking elements” may be utilized herein to reference anytype of louver, including reflection minimization louvers, or otherblocking elements.

The term “LED light display” may be utilized herein to reference aphysical display, whereas the term “LED light display unit” may beutilized herein to reference a representation of a LED light displaythat can be utilized by the method, computer program and/or system ofembodiments of the present invention.

The terms “LED diode”, “LED light” may be utilized interchangeablyherein to reference any individual element that is operable to emitlight. The term “LED module” represents a planar unit comprising anarray of LED diodes. Multiple LED modules may be integrated into a LEDlight display.

The terms “computer program” and “computer software” may be utilizedinterchangeably herein to reference a set of commands programmed in acomputer language that can be stored in any medium, including hard drivestorage, a portable storage device, a server, or any other type ofstorage. The commands can be executed by a microprocessor of a computingdevice to produce the processing and outputs described herein. Thecomputer program may be operated by the system of the present invention.The computer program may be utilized to implement the method of thepresent invention or a portion thereof.

Any reference herein to “sensitive communities” or “sensitive areas” isa reference to communities, whether structures or people, sensitive tolight trespass. Areas or communities that are light sensitive mayinclude but are not limited to areas of traffic signaling, railway rightof ways, airports, residential areas, nature preservation areas, or anyother area deemed to be negatively impacted by unnecessary lightemission or information transmitted from the LED digital display.

The present invention, and in particular the LED light display isconfigured to incorporate multiple louvers each being associated with anLED diode of the LED light display. The louvers and LED diodes arefurther configured to achieve interactions between the louvers and oneor more LED lights, whereby the louver blocks light directly from a LEDdiode, or blocks the reflection of light from a LED diode.

Furthermore, the present invention is operable to be configured suchthat the louvers and LED diodes generate an image display that can beviewed within a specific viewing area, as discussed herein. Theconfiguration of the LED light display of the present invention isarranged to achieve optimum image quality of the image displayed by theLED light display within a defined viewing area wherein members of atarget audience will view the LED light display. Therefore, theconfiguration of the LED light display is arranged to achieve optimumoutputs, including image uniformity, resolution, colour accuracy, pixelfill-ratio, chromatic aberration, contrast considerations, lack ofvisual artefacts, as well as other outputs.

In this manner the present invention differs from other prior art lightdisplays that incorporate blocking elements. An example of such a priorart light display is a stop light that incorporates light elementshaving blocking elements positioned in proximity thereto. Such prior artmerely utilizes blocking elements to block light from a light in aparticular direction. This blocking is insular and related to theblocking element blocking light from a single light. Generally, suchprior art further does not display images, such as advertising images.In particular, the prior art does not achieve the output of an image ofhigh quality and resolution directed towards a target audience, as isachieved by embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, asdiscussed herein, the configuration of the LED diodes and louvers of thepresent invention, and the output thereof, differ significantly from theprior art.

The method, computer software, and the system of the present inventionare operable to achieve planning and approval-seeking in advance ofdeploying any LED light display. The planning can involve determiningthe options as to the direction(s) in which light may be emitted fromthe LED light display in accordance with the position of the LED lightdisplay and the configuration of the louvers within the LED lightdisplay. This planning can assist an operator of an LED light display todetermine where and how to position the LED light display in relation toa target and to areas sensitive to light trespass, as well as how toconfigure the louvers within the LED light display. The result is a LEDlight display that is configured and positioned to achieve site-specificobjectives for the direction of light from an LED light display towardsa target and to eliminate or diminish light emission in the direction ofareas, including areas sensitive to light trespass.

The louvers of the present invention may be configured to incorporateblocking elements that restrict the emission of light from a LED diode.These blocking elements can eliminate or diminish the LED module outputin unwanted directions for reduction of light trespass.

The computer software and system of the present invention mayincorporate modelling tools. The modelling tools may be applied toplanning an installation site for an LED light display, prior to theproduction of the LED light display and/or prior to the installation ofthe LED light display. The modelling tool can assist an installer and/oroperator of a LED light display to determine the scope of the emissionof light from a LED light display situated in a particular position thatincorporates specific types of louvers, as well as the areas where lightwill be blocked from emission or where light transmission would bediminished.

The present invention involves a method for using a specialized blockingelement (i.e., a louver) that restricts the view angle in a horizontaldirection from an LED lighting display. The express goal of the presentinvention, and the incorporation of louvers in relation to LED diodes inthe LED lighting display, is to remove light output in specificdirections. A further goal of the present invention is to provideplanning method and a software/visualization tool to assist a digitaldisplay operator in determining the best position of a LED lightingdisplay to direct the light emission from the display thereof to theintended audience and to visualize this to the operator such that theLED light display unit shown can be rotated by degrees by the user toshow the effect of such positioning of the LED light display that willoccur at a specific installation location.

As each installation location may have specific features that willaffect the positioning of a LED light display, the computer software andsystem allows for modelling of the installation location and variouspossible positions of the LED light display therein. In particular thelocation of the LED light display and the position of the LED lightdisplay in that location can be modeled. For example, the LED lightdisplay can be positioned to various angles at a particular location inthe modeling process. As another example, the configuration of thecombination of LED diodes and louvers within the LED light display canbe modeled, and this can include pixel arrangement as well as louverconfiguration (i.e., different types of louvers will have differenteffects therefore the configuration of the LED light display toincorporate a particular type of louver can affect the LED light displayfunction and effect upon the target viewing area and surrounding areas).The goal is to achieve maximum forward viewing image quality and scopefor the target viewing audience, as well as minimal light trespass intolight sensitive areas.

The modelling allows for a determination as to the expected the lightemission, diminished emission and/or blocked emission as will beexperienced by members of a target audience or other inhabitants orelements at selectable locations in the vicinity of the potentialinstallation site of a LED light display. Generally, the best orpreferred installation site and best or preferred installation positionfor the LED light display will achieve the goals of the display, forexample, such as making the LED light display visible to the widestamount of the target audience without affecting image quality, whilediminishing or blocking light emission to certain areas, including lighttrespass sensitive areas. Tools in the software enable estimates of thefinal light impact in the sensitive areas.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the louver may incorporatefins configured to achieve a view angle restriction. For example, such afin may be a blocking fin positioned immediately horizontally adjacentto a LED diode in the LED light display. As another example, theblocking element may also comprise a fin, ridge, cup, or physical louverparts thereof configured to achieve a view angle restriction viaphysical blocking.

The louver and any view angle restriction elements will be configured soas to not, or to not substantially, block light output in a forwarddirection from the LED diode. The louver and any view angle restrictionelement configured therein will be positioned and designed to preserve arange of angles at which the LED light display may be viewed by a memberof a target audience (in an area where the target audience is to bepositioned), this is referred to as the “optimal viewing region”.Outside of the optimal viewing region the louvers, and any view anglerestriction element configured therein, will begin to obstruct light offto the side of the LED diode. The percentage of the light observablefrom the LED diode diminishes as the LED diode within the LED lightdisplay is increasingly covered by the blocking element when the LEDlight display is viewed from angles outside of the target viewing areaand the optimal viewing region.

The target viewing area will be the area where the most members of thetarget viewing audience are expected to be located and the targetaudience will view the LED light display at a minimal viewing angle. Theboundaries and scope of this area will depend on the LED light displayconfiguration, the determined target audience area and aspects of theinstallation site. For example, a member of the target audience viewingthe LED light display from a position that is directly in front of theLED light display will have a viewing angle that is 0 degrees orslightly more than 0 degrees. A target audience may also view the LEDlight display for a position that is off center in either a left orright direction. The exact range of viewing angles that will be withinthe optimal viewing region will depend on the LED light displayconfiguration, the determined target audience area and aspects of theinstallation site. Therefore, the target viewing area, the optimalviewing region and the range of viewing angles within the optimalviewing region may differ for various LED light displays.

As a person views the LED light display and as the view angle isincreased, due to the louvers there is a gradual reduction of the lightlevel across the entire LED light display. This is a combination ofeffects of increasing blockage of individual LED elements, but also dueto the differences in view angles with respect to different areas on thedisplay. As the view angle from the center increases the light emissionmay still occur and be visible, but less emission will occur and bevisible than occurs and is visible within the optimal viewing region,and furthermore the image is made non-uniform. This range of viewingangles is referred to herein as the “transition region”. The LED lightdisplay will not be as clearly visible in the transition region as it isin the optimal viewing region. For example, in the transition region,information displayed on the LED light display may become non-uniform,full of visual artefacts and not representative of the intended creativecontent of the image. Therefore, due to the degraded visual quality ofthe display, this region is to be avoided such that the normal targetaudience, for example those driving on a highway, do not, or onlyminimally, pass through this region. The light emission willincreasingly diminish as a viewer moves within the transition regionfrom a position that is closer to the optimal viewing region to aposition that is farther away from the optimal viewing region. The exactrange of viewing angles that will be within the transition region willdepend on the LED light display louver configuration.

At a wide enough horizontal angle, and outside of the edge of thetransition region that is farthest away from the optimal viewing region,extremely weak or no light emission from the LED light display willoccur and be visible. This is known as the “light trespass region”. Inthe light trespass region the LED light display light emission will beonly vaguely visible or will not be visible, and therefore any contentof the LED light display will only be weakly visible or will not bevisible and generally not discernable. As an example, in oneinstallation site the light trespass region may occur at 30 degrees offcenter of the LED light display. A skilled reader will recognize thatthe angles from the center of the LED light display that exist withinthe light trespass region will depend on the LED light display louverconfiguration. In the light trespass region the majority of the LEDdiode is shielded by the blocking element and the light output (i.e.,light emission) is reduced drastically and in some instance eliminatedoutright. As an example, in one tested embodiment of the presentinvention, this reduction is greater than ninety-nine percent (>99%)with some light leakage remaining due to a side reflection (indirectpath) off the next adjacent blocking element. The range of angles withinthe light trespass region will vary for LED light displays and willdepend upon aspects of the LED light displays (i.e., aspects of theconfiguration of the LED light displays) such as pixel pattern, pixelspacing, blocking element material, blocking element configuration, anddesign, as well as aspects of the installation site, such as sundirection, topographical features, structures, natural elements, etc.

Embodiments of the present invention may provide computer softwareoperable on the system of the present invention to provide visualizationtools to aid the LED light display operator in evaluating: (a) whether aLED light display incorporating the louvers to block and diminish lightemission in the particular directions from an LED diode is viable for aspecific installation site: (b) the proper degree of rotation or azimuth(i.e., positioning) to achieve quality imaging from the LED lightdisplay as perceived by a target audience in a target audience area, andlight trespass mitigation for light trespass sensitive areas outside ofthe target audience area, (c) output of information relating to theconfiguration of louvers in a LED light display and/or the positioningof a LED light display in a specific installation site provided asgraphical and/or text format (and such information may be presented andsubmitted to third parties, such as decision-makers, for example to aidthe determination as to whether such an LED light display should beallowed to be built and installed at the installation site), and (d) anycalculations and quantifications of any light maps produced by themethod, computer software and/or system relating to (c) and anyilluminance numbers therein relating to the area of the installationsite.

This computer software and system of the present invention may comprisea variety of elements and may display the information produced in avariety of formats. For example, in one embodiment of the presentinvention the information produced incorporates the following elements:an interactive satellite image or overhead view map of the area of theinstallation site; a diagrammatical representation of the blockingelement “regions” (i.e., optimal viewing region, transition region, andlight trespass region—shown as a light map); controls for positioningand rotating a representation of the LED light display within thedisplayed image or map of the installation site; controls for otherparameters relating to the LED light display configuration within theinstallation site, such as active display size and luminance settings;and parameters relating to output estimations.

Collectively the elements that comprise the computer software and systemof the present invention provide tools whereby a particular installationsite may be depicted to a user, such as on a screen of a computingdevice, that may be any of a laptop, a desktop computer, or any mobiledevice, such as a cell phone, a smart phone, a tablet, or any othermobile device. The user may utilize the visualization tools of thesystem to position a representation of a LED light display within theinstallation site. This step may involve the user identifying the targetaudience and the area where the target audience is expected to belocated (the target audience area) within the installation site andpositioning the LED light display to face the target audience. Forexample, the target audience may be identified as drivers on a highway,and a particular stretch of the highway may be chosen as the targetaudience area. The user may position the LED light display to face thetarget audience area. As another example, a target audience may beidentified as persons in the vicinity of a downtown square or a park,and a particular area within the downtown square or the park may bechoses as the target audience area. The use may position the LED lightdisplay to face the target audience area. A skilled reader willrecognize that a variety of target audiences may be chosen in a varietyof different areas.

A louver configuration of the LED light display may be chosen by theuser. The louver configuration will determine the portion of the LEDdiodes in the LED light display from which light is blocked by a louver.This chosen louver configuration will therefore determine the lightemission occurring from the LED light display.

In one embodiment the present invention, the system will process one ormore aspects of the installation site (e.g., buildings, structures,roadways, trees, topographical features, and other aspects) to determinethe optimal viewing region, transition region and light trespass regionbased upon the expected light emission from the LED light display inaccordance with the louver configuration. Other embodiments of thepresent invention may not process any aspects of the installation siteto determine the optimal viewing region, transition region and lighttrespass region and may solely base the identification of the regionsupon the expected light emission from the LED light display inaccordance with the louver configuration.

If the regions do not correspond with the LED light displayrequirements, or the requirements of the environment surrounding the LEDlight display, a user may utilize the visualization tools to alter theposition of the LED light display. For example, the visualization toolsmay be utilized to move the representation of the LED light display to adifferent location within the installation site depiction, or to rotatethe position of the LED light display (i.e., rotating the LED lightdisplay representation to the right or to the left from its originalposition). The visualization tools may further be utilized to alter theconfiguration of the louvers within the LED light display in relation tothe LED diodes therein. For example, such as configuring the louvers toblock more or less of the light emission from the diodes, which can beachieved by changing the size and/or shape of the louvers, as discussedherein. Upon such alterations of location, position and/or louverconfiguration of a LED light display, the system will produce resultsthat show the optimal viewing region, the transition region and thelight trespass region relating to the new location, position and/orconfiguration of the louvers of the LED light display.

As an example, for a LED light display located near a highway, theposition and/or louver configuration of such LED light display may berequired to be set in accordance with optimum viewing of the information(e.g., image) of the display by the largest possible target audience ofdrivers on the highway, while restricting or diminishing light trespassto residential community housing, parks or other areas (including lightsensitive areas) beside the highway. Use of the visualization tools canassist a user to determine how the LED light display should be located,configured and positioned within a particular installation site to meetthe greatest number of the requirements and optimize tradeoffs betweenimage viewing (such as viewing of billboard advertising) value andminimized local light impact for nearby communities and areas. This canaid a user in obtaining approvals needed to install a LED light displayin an area that may have otherwise not have been obtained. A report canbe generated through the method, system and/or software, that can beutilized for the purpose of presentation to an approval body (such asmunicipal decision-makers) to provide a visual representation of a LEDlight display installed in a particular area, and to thereby generate anunderstanding of the light impact of such installation by the approvalbody members.

As another example, a LED light display located in a downtown localethat incorporates shopping, business and residential buildings may needto be positioned to provide information displayed upon such displayclearly to people in an area of the street, while simultaneouslyavoiding light trespass, or diminishing light trespass, for theresidential or business buildings in the area. Use of the visualizationtools can assist a user to determine how the LED light display should belocated, configured and positioned within that particular installationsite to meet the greatest number of the requirements for such LED lightdisplay in the installation site (e.g., information transmission to thetarget audience, and light emission diminishment or blocking for theenvironment where the target audience is not located, etc.).

The present invention may have several embodiments. These embodimentsprovide particular benefits over the prior art. The LED light display ofthe present invention, and the method, software and/or system operableto create, locate, configure and/or position a LED light display of thepresent invention, achieve the following outcomes that the prior art isincapable of achieving: (i) minimizing light trespass into areas toaddress light trespass requirements of light sensitive areas locatednear such LED displays; (ii) and addressing the increasing effort bylocal approval bodies (e.g., governments, regulatory organizations,etc.) to regulate and restrict the installations of such LED displays;(iii) blocking light emission in directions that require protection,while preserving the quality of the information (e.g., image) displayedon the LED light display in the direction of the intended audience(e.g., the target audience); (iv) reducing light trespass in thehorizontal directions in LED light displays, while simultaneouslyachieving (and not compromising) the industry gold standard in opticalperformance as experienced by the intended target audience; (v)functioning with Dual Inline Pin (DIP) oval LEDs; and (vi) notinterfering with the standard and optimized optical performance of theLED elements in the LED light display due to the modification of thelight output in the intended target audience view direction, and due tothe full blocking of direct light output in the light trespass direction(i.e., instead of merely reducing it).

As an example, the present invention can address the increasingcommunity backlash regarding aesthetics, traffic impacts and lightimpact or light trespass caused by prior art LED light displays. Byblocking or diminishing light emission from LED diodes (and the LEDlight display generally) in particular directions and/or at particularviewing angles, only the target audience segment located near a LEDlight display receives the effects of the direct light emission from theLED light display. Therefore, members of the community may be near a LEDlight display, but if they are located in a transition region or a lighttrespass region they will receive either minimal effect or no effect oflight emission from the LED light display.

Another example of a benefit of the present invention over the prior artis that existing prior art outdoor LED light displays, by virtue oftheir wide angles and their design goal of reaching a maximum audience,create significant light trespass as a matter of course. Displayoperators of prior art displays often attempt to reduce the lighttrespass by slightly turning the face of a LED light display away (by,as an example, approximately 5-30 degrees) from any light sensitivecommunities. However, this activity is insufficient as the Full Width atHalf Maximum (FWHM) angle for these displays ranges from approximately90 degrees to 110 degrees. The outcome is that only a very smallreduction of light can be achieved by turning the face of the prior artLED light display slightly away from light sensitive communities. Inaddition, decision-makers in the approval process rarely have a fullunderstanding of lighting impact and often err on the conservative side(i.e., rejecting applications) as they have no quantifiable support fora quantification of light impact generated by a proposed project.

The present invention seeks to solve these problems by use of speciallydesigned louvers positioned in relation to LED diodes in the LED lightdisplay, and the LED pixel pattern of the LED light display. The presentinvention also acts to solve these problems through the application of amethod, a system and/or a computer software program operable to adjustinstallation parameters of the displays in situ and to quantitativelyestimate the light impact thereof in the surrounding environment. Theseelements of the present invention can produce the following outcomes: a)the LED light display is operable to render excellent quality images toan audience who are directly facing the LED light display, or who arepositioned at a minimal angle from the center of the LED light display(either to the right or the left of the center), said minimal anglegenerally being a narrow angle; and b) the LED light display reduces thelight trespass significantly (for example, such as by approximately 99%or a greater percentage) at a side angle beyond the minimal angle (e.g.,the side angle being either within the transition region or the lighttrespass region) where there may be a light sensitive area or community.

A skilled reader will recognize that embodiments of the presentinvention offer other benefits over the prior art.

The discussion below provides information about some embodiments of thepresent invention. A skilled reader will recognize that this discussionprovides examples of possible embodiments of the present invention, andthat other embodiments of the present invention are also possible.

As shown in FIG. 1, each LED diode within a LED light display isconnected, for example, such as by soldering or another connection, to aprinted circuit board (PCB). As an example, LED diode 1 b incorporatedwithin a LED light display will be stood off from the PCB 124 via one ormore pin standoffs 126. The LED diodes and PCB constitute the displayunit that is operable to emit light that is visible to a viewer asinformation or an image. As discussed herein blocking elements mayfurther be incorporated in the display unit.

The display unit may be is connected to one or more supporting elements.When the LED light display is installed in an installation site one ormore of the supporting elements may be in contact with the ground, or aportion of one or more of the supporting elements may be embedded in theground. The supporting elements will support the display unit in aposition above the ground.

The display unit of the present invention may incorporate blockingelements. An example of such blocking elements are shown in FIG. 1. TheLED diodes 1 a and 1 b further each have one or more louvers (i.e.,blocking elements) positioned in proximity thereto. For example, LEDdiode 1 a has louver 2 positioned proximate thereto and LED diode 1 bhas louver 3 positioned proximate thereto. (LED diode 2 has louvers 2and 3 proximate thereto.) Louver 2 blocks a portion of the lightemission from diode 1 a, and louver 3 blocks a portion of the lightemission from diode 1 b. Louvers 2 and 3 as shown are two possibleembodiments of a mechanical blocking element incorporated in a LED lightdisplay of the present invention. A skilled reader will recognize thatother configurations of blocking elements are possible, such assemi-circular cups, multi-segmented louvers, or blocking elements of anyother shape that creates a blocking effect for a portion of the lightemission from a LED diode positioned proximate to the blocking element.

A variety of types of blocking elements may be incorporated in a LEDlight display of an embodiment of the present invention (as shown inFIG. 3), or a single type of blocking element may be incorporated in aLED light display of another embodiment of the present invention (asshown in FIG. 1).

FIG. 1, in particular, depicts combinations of LED diodes andcorresponding blocking elements that result in particular viewing angleregions.

The entire surface of a LED diode emits light since the body of thediode acts as a lens that encloses a light emitting diode die. Thepresent invention separates the forward viewing arcs from the LED diodesin a LED light display into three distinct regions. The diode optimalviewing region 4 is the region in which there is no obstruction of anylight emission from any part of the surface of the LED diode 1 a. Thediode optimal viewing region is a viewing arc that is not affected bythe louvers 2 or 3. The collective area of the diode optimal viewingregions, for all of the LED diodes of the LED light display, representthe optimal viewing region for the LED light display. When the LED lightdisplay is viewed by a viewer from an angle within the optimal viewingregion, the highest image, or information, display quality that the LEDlight display is capable of achieving, will be perceived by the viewer.

The diode transition region 5 is an area wherein part of the surface ofLED diode 1 a is exposed to view. In the diode transition region thelight emission from the LED diode is partially blocked. As the viewingangle increases within the diode transition region for LED diode 1 a,from the greatest angle of the diode optimal viewing region 4 to thesmallest angle of the diode light trespass region 5, the portion of thelight emission from LED 1 a that is blocked from view increases and thelight emission output reaching the viewer decreases. Collectively thediode transition regions of all of the LED diodes of the LED lightdisplay represent that transition region for the LED light display.

The transition region should be minimized in the design of LED lightdisplay of embodiments of the present invention. The reason for thisgoal is twofold: (a) because the image quality produced to be viewed bya viewer in the transition region is insufficient for clear viewing, and(b) the transition region is not protected fully from unwanted lighttrespass. In relation to (a), the target audience for a LED lightdisplay will not be able to clearly view the information provided on thedisplay from a position within the transition region. The clarity andquality of the display information, which is not optimal anywhere in thetransition region, will decrease as the viewer moves within thetransition region away from the optimal viewing region and towards thelight trespass region. The method, system and/or computer program of thepresent invention may be operable to address the goal of minimizing thesize and range of angles within the transition region by aiding the userto select application parameters for the configuration and position ofthe LED light display within an installation site to best produce atransition region that is as small as possible, or positioned such thatneither the target audience nor the protected audience are located inthe region.

The LED diode light trespass region 6 is a viewing arc in which all ofthe possible direct lines of sight to the LED diode 1 a are covered bythe louver 2. This region is a protected region, wherein protection isprovided from light trespass. In particular, the protected region isadvantageous to light sensitive persons or structures in the vicinity ofthe LED light display, as light emission from LED diode 1 a is blockedfrom reaching the diode light trespass region. Collectively the diodelight trespass regions for all LED diodes in the LED light displayconstitute the light trespass region for the LED light display. Withinthe light trespass region light emission from the LED light display willbe diminished or eradicated. (Within portions of the light trespassregion that are closest to the transition region the light emission fromthe LED light display may be diminished. As a viewer moves farther awayfrom the LED light display within the transition region the lightemission may be eradicated.) The limitation that prevents eradication isthat indirect reflections may occur on the adjacent louver.

As shown in FIGS. 2a-2c , the portion of the LED light display that isvisible, and the amount of light that is emitted towards a viewer of theLED light display alters based on the position of the viewer in relationto the LED light display. For example, as shown in FIG. 2a , if theviewer is directly in front of the LED light display 50 (i.e.,positioned at an approximately 0 degree angle to the LED light display),the information displayed on the display will be clearly visible andfull light emission will be directed towards the viewer. The viewer isin the optimal viewing region in this example.

As yet another example, as shown in FIG. 2b , if the viewer is viewingthe LED light display 50 from an angle from the center of the displaythat is sufficient for at least a portion of the light emission of theLED diodes to fail to reach the viewer (i.e., positioned at anapproximately 20-30 degree angle from the center of the LED lightdisplay), the information displayed on the display is not clearlyvisible to the viewer. At such a position a portion of the lightemission from the LED diodes is blocked from the viewer's view byblocking elements, each blocking element being positioned proximate toat least one LED diode. Therefore, only a portion of the light emissionfrom the LED diodes reaches the viewer. The viewer is within thetransition region in this example.

As yet another example, as shown in FIG. 2c , if the viewer is viewingthe LED light display 50 from an angle from the center of the displaythat is sufficient for possibly no light emission of the LED diodes orminimal light emission to reach the viewer (i.e., positioned at an anglethat is approximately greater than 30 degrees from the center of the LEDlight display), the information displayed on the display may not bevisible to the viewer. At such a position of the viewer the lightemission from the LED diodes may be fully or near-fully blocked byblocking elements, each blocking element being positioned proximate toat least one LED diode. It is possible that some reflected lightemission may reach the viewer at this angle. The viewer is within thelight trespass region in this example.

The surface of a LED light display will incorporate an array ofindividual LED diodes and associated blocking elements. In such aconfiguration, some reflection of light will inevitably occur. Anexample of such reflection of light is shown in FIG. 3, whereinreflection 7 occurs whereby at least a portion of the light emitted froma LED diode 1 a is directed to louver 3 and is reflected off louver 3 tothe eye 8 of a viewer of the LED light display. The viewer may be withinthe diode light trespass region relating to LED diode 1 a. The result isthat even though light emitted from LED diode 1 a is blocked fromreaching the light trespass region 6 (in particular the light emitted inthe direction of louver 2 is so blocked), some of the light emitted fromLED diode 1 a in the direction of louver 3 is reflected off of louver 3into the light trespass region. This limits the ultimate light trespassreduction to approximately 99% within areas of the light trespass regionwhere such reflected light emission reaches.

Therefore, as discussed herein, light emission may not be fullyeradicated within all areas within the light trespass region, due to thefact that although light emission directly directed towards the lighttrespass region may be blocked by a louver, some reflected lightemission may reach areas of the light trespass region. However, as onlyreflected light emission from a portion of the LED diode may reach thelight trespass region, the light emission experienced in the lighttrespass region is significantly diminished, so as to be nearlyeradicated, as compared to the light emission occurring in the same areaproximate to a prior art system. This is because the prior art systemdoes not include any blocking element to block any light emitted fromthe LED diodes of a LED light display from reaching any region inrelation to the LED light display, as may occur due to direct lightemission and/or due to scattering of light caused by airborne particlesor moisture such as fog. Thus, FIG. 3, in particular, shows thecombination of LED diodes and corresponding blocking elements, and theeffects thereof upon reflections, that have one form of blockingperformance.

Embodiments of the present invention may incorporate louvers that arereflection minimization louvers. A reflection minimization louver may beconfigured to block light emission from a portion of a LED diode and toalso block the majority of the reflection of light emission that mayoccur off of a portion of a louver. A reflection minimization louver mayaffect the light emission from multiple LED diodes. For example, areflection minimization louver may block light emission from a portionof a first LED diode and block the majority of the reflection of lightemission from a second LED diode. Without such blocking the reflectionof light emission from the second LED diode could otherwise be emittedto a viewer from the reflection of light from a LED diode off of aportion of the reflection minimization louver.

An example of a reflection minimization louver is shown in FIG. 4. Areflection minimization louver 14 may be positioned between andproximate to two LED diodes 12 a and 12 b. The reflection minimizationlouver may incorporate a light emission blocking arm 15 that is operableto block a portion of the light emitted from LED diode 12 b. Thereflection minimization louver may further incorporate an arm 16proximate to LED diode 12 a that incorporates a reflection blockingflange 9 that is configured to be angled in relation to the arm 16 andthe LED diode 12 a. The angle of the reflection blocking flange isconfigured to minimize the amount of reflection 11 of light emitted fromLED diode 12 a off of the arm 16 or off of the reflection blockingflange 9. The reflection blocking flange is further configured to blocklight that would otherwise reflect off of the light emission blockingarm, as is shown as blocked reflected light path 17.

The light emission blocking arm 15 b of a reflection minimization louver14 b may further be configured so as to block reflected light 11 that isreflected off of the reflection blocking flange 9 of another reflectionminimization louver 14 a. The light emission blocking arm thus blocksthe reflected light 11 that would otherwise be viewable by a viewer 13who is within the light trespass region, as is shown by blocked viewablereflected light path 19. Therefore, the configuration of a reflectionminimization louver can be designed to block light emitted directly froma LED diode proximate to the reflection blocking flange, as well as toblock light reflected from the reflection blocking flange of anotherreflection minimization louver.

Arm 16 and light emission blocking arm 15 a of a reflection minimizationlouver may be attached by a connection section 21. A skilled reader willrecognize that the connection section may be of any size andconfiguration, such as a point of intersection of the arms within aU-shaped or V-shaped connection, a straight section extending betweenthe arm and the light emission blocking arm, or any other type of sizeand configuration that connects the arm to the light emission blockingarm. In some embodiments of the present invention, a reflectionminimization louver may be configured to minimize the amount of lightthat is emitted from a LED diode and reflected off a portion of a louverthat is visible to a viewer within the transition region.

The reflection blocking flange of a reflection minimization louver andits configuration is a key feature of some embodiments of the presentinvention. The reflection blocking flange acts as a reflection reductionelement, and is formed to function by providing angled coverage of aportion of a LED diode. The reflection minimization louver can minimizethe area of reflective surface of the reflection minimization louverwherefrom reflections can be reflected and thereby become viewable by aviewer in a transition region and/or a light trespass region. Such anarea of reflective surface is a direct reflection area 10. Thereflection minimization louver can further block the path of lightreflected off of another reflection minimization louver from becomingviewable by a viewer in a transition region and/or a light trespassregion. Such an area of the surface of a reflection minimization louverthat blocks such reflected light is a reflected light area 18.

The parameters of the design, and the configuration, of a reflectionminimization louver must balance reflection mitigation and loss ofimaging fidelity. The configuration, design and/or positioning of areflection minimization louver within a LED light display may cause aportion of the LED diode light emission to be blocked from being viewedby viewers within the optimal viewing region.

In embodiments of the present invention that incorporate any form ofblocking element, from a position that is directly in front of a LEDdiode, the emission of light and distribution of such emitted light fromthe LED diode originates primarily from the center of the surface of theLED diode, and not from the periphery of the surface of the LED diode.Most LED diodes, especially those in a Dual Inline Pin (DIP) package(such as is popular for outdoor applications), have a LED body that actsas a lens so that light originates primarily from the center of the lensand not from the periphery of the lens. Therefore, partial cover of theperipheral surface of the LED diode caused by the reflection blockflange may not significantly reduce the forward light output, though itcan effectively shrink the optimum viewing region. Embodiments of thepresent invention can incorporate DIPs, whereas other embodiments of thepresent invention may not incorporate DIPs.

Generally, reflection minimization louvers may be incorporated in a LEDlight display to minimize viewable reflection of light emitted from aLED diode off of a portion of a louver, and further to improve the lighttrespass region blocking performance. With reflection minimization inplace, the blocking performance exceeds performance of a prior art LEDdisplay that does not have any blocking elements or other forms ofblockers, for example. Embodiments of the present invention can achievea blocking performance of up to a magnitude of, or exceeding 99.9%, inthe light trespass region. The result is that embodiments of the presentinvention can fully or near-fully remove all visibility of theinformation presented on the LED light display.

The capability of the present invention to block light in the lighttrespass region offers benefits over the prior art. As one example, at arailway right of way it may be a requirement that the LED light displaybe unable to present information in the direction of the train tracksthat could be mistaken for railway signaling lights by a trainconductor. A prior art LED light display positioned near a railway rightof way that does not incorporate the blocking louvers and/or thereflection minimization louvers of embodiments of the present inventionmay emit a faint image in the light trespass region (in the direction ofthe railway track), and therefore may not meet the requirements for aLED light display near a railway right of way. An embodiment of thepresent invention may be configured such that the LED light display mayincorporate a combination of louvers and reflection minimizationlouvers.

A skilled reader will recognize that an embodiment of the presentinvention may further incorporate solely blocking elements that are notreflection minimization louvers, or may incorporate only blockingelements that are reflection minimization louvers, or a combination ofmultiple types of blocking elements. A skilled reader will recognizethat another embodiment of the present invention may incorporate solelyreflection minimization louvers and not include louvers.

A variety of layouts and configurations of blocking elements and LEDdiodes are possible in embodiments of the present invention. Suchlayouts and configurations represent LED pixel layout patterns. The oneor more layouts and configurations of LED pixel layout patternsincorporated in a LED light display may be chosen based upon theoptimality thereof for use with the present invention, in accordancewith the goals and requirements of embodiments of the present invention.Such goals and requirements of embodiments of the present invention maybe related to aspects of the installation site where the LED lightdisplay is to be located, and other aspects relating to the targetaudience, and any light sensitivities of structures, people or areas inthe installation site, as discussed herein.

Within a full color LED light display, multiple primary color LED diodesor multiple dies within one single LED diode may be combined in eachpixel to render the full color spectrum. There are many designconsiderations dictating the LED light display pixel layout to beincorporated in a LED light display. LED light display pixel layouts cantrade off various visual qualities. The blocking louver implications ofpixel layouts are discussed below, although there are other qualitiesand design considerations relating to pixel layouts that may also beconsidered when choosing a pixel layout (or multiple pixel layouts) tobe incorporated in a LED light display.

Some examples of possible layouts and configurations of blockingelements and LED diodes that may be incorporated in LED light displaysof embodiments of the present invention are shown in FIGS. 5a-5f .Layouts 5 a-5 c represent some LED pixel layouts that can be used in LEDlight displays of embodiments of the present invention, while layouts 5d-5 f represent layouts that are optimal for LED light displayembodiments of the present invention. A skilled reader will recognizethat other layouts and configurations are also possible for embodimentsof the present invention. A skilled reader will also recognize thatcombinations of two or more of the layouts and configurations shown aspatterns in FIGS. 5a-5f can be included in a single LED light display,or a single pattern can be included in a LED light display.

A pixel layout pattern may comprise multiple LED diodes and blockingelements arranged in particular positions in relation to each other.Example patterns are shown in FIGS. 5a-5f . Generally, FIG. 5a shows apixel layout pattern incorporating blocking elements to the left of aLED diode, and such blocking element may further possibly be to theright of another LED diode. FIGS. 5b-5c each show a pixel layout patternincorporating blocking elements to the left of a LED diode, and suchblocking element may further possibly be to the right of another LEDdiode. Thus, FIGS. 5b-5c show asymmetric blocking for left side of a LEDdiode, and possibly to the right side of another LED diode. FIGS. 5d-5feach show an optimized pixel layout pattern incorporating blockingelements.

As shown in FIG. 5a , a group of six LED diodes 20 a-20 f andcorresponding blocking elements 22 a-22 f, respectively, may be arrangedin a first arrangement pattern 24. Multiple repeats of the pattern shownin FIG. 4a may be incorporated in a LED light display. The patternspecifically incorporates two blocking elements 22 a and 22 b each beingpositioned to the left side of a LED diode 20 a and 20 b, respectively,and a single blocking element 22 c being positioned to the left side ofa LED diode 22 c, said blocking element 22 c and LED diode 20 c beingpositioned directly below the LED diode 22 a and blocking element 22 b,and LED diodes 20 a and 20 b configured to be centered in relation tosaid upper configuration (the “upper FIG. 5a grouping”). A grouping ofblocking elements 22 d-22 f are positioned in relation to LED diodes 20d-20 f, respectively, and this grouping (the “lower FIG. 5a grouping”)is positioned directly below the upper FIG. 5a grouping. The position ofthe blocking elements and LED diodes in the lower FIG. 5a grouping areinverted from that shown in the upper FIG. 5a grouping, such that theblocking elements 22 d-22 f are positioned to the right side of the LEDdiodes 20 d-20 f.

The pattern shown in FIG. 5a may not be optimal for some embodiments ofthe present invention due to the positioning of the blocking elements.Namely, the middle blocking element 22 c may: (a) unnecessarily restrictthe viewing angle of the adjacent LED; and (b) create a relatively highreflection. The net result is that one color in the LED light displaywill have a narrower view angle than other colours, and simultaneouslywill not be properly blocked in the light trespass region.

Another example pixel layout pattern is shown in FIG. 5b that isvertically asymmetric. This example incorporates a group of six LEDdiodes 20 a-20 f and corresponding blocking elements 22 a-22 f,respectively, arranged in a first vertical arrangement pattern. Multiplerepeats of the pattern shown in FIG. 5b may be incorporated in a LEDlight display. Blocking element 22 a is positioned to the left side ofLED diode 20 a. Blocking element 22 b is positioned directly below LEDdiode 20 a, and blocking element 22 b is positioned to the left side ofLED diode 20 b. LED diode 20 c is positioned directly below blockingelement 22 b and blocking element 22 c is to the left side of the LEDdiode 20 c. The arrangement of the LED diodes 20 a-20 c in relation toblocking elements 22 a-22 c is the “upper FIG. 5b grouping”. A groupingof blocking elements 22 d-22 f are positioned in relation to LED diodes20 d-20 f, respectively, and this grouping (the “lower FIG. 5bgrouping”) is positioned directly below the upper FIG. 5b grouping. Theposition of the blocking elements and LED diodes in the lower FIG. 5bgrouping are inverted from that shown in the upper FIG. 5a grouping,such that the blocking elements 22 d-22 f are positioned to the rightside of the LED diodes 20 d-20 f. However, LED diode 20 e is positionedto be directly below blocking element 22 d and directly above blockingelement 22 f.

The pixel layout pattern shown in FIG. 5b is arranged such that left andright blocking has different properties, and may produce a lower imagequality when the digital display is viewed from a downward or upwardangle, owing to the interference of blocking louvers immediately belowthe LED diodes.

Another example pixel layout pattern is shown in FIG. 5c that isvertically asymmetric. This example is a group of six LED diodes 20 a-20f and corresponding blocking elements 22 a-22 f, each combination ofblocking element and diode is positioned exactly opposite to the patternshown in FIG. 5b to form a second vertical arrangement pattern. Multiplerepeats of the pattern shown in FIG. 5c may be incorporated in a LEDlight display. The pattern shown in FIG. 5c may be preferable for someembodiments of the present invention over the pattern shown in FIG. 5b ,but the pattern of FIG. 5c may not be optimal for some embodiments ofthe present invention.

Another example pixel layout pattern is shown in FIG. 5d that isvertically symmetric. This example pattern incorporates a group of threeLED diodes 20 a-20 c and corresponding blocking elements 22 a-22 c,respectively. Each blocking element is positioned to the left side ofthe LED diode and blocking element 22 a and LED diode 20 a arepositioned above blocking element 22 b and LED diode 20 b. Blockingelement 22 c and LED diode 20 c are positioned directly below blockingelement 22 b and LED diode 20 b. All of the LED diodes are verticallyarranged and all of the blocking elements are vertically aligned, toform a third vertical arrangement pattern. Multiple repeats of thepattern shown in FIG. 5d may be incorporated in a LED light display.

Another example pixel layout pattern is shown in FIG. 5e that isvertically asymmetric. This example pattern incorporates a group of fourLED diodes 20 a-20 d and corresponding blocking elements 22 a-22 d,respectively. Each blocking element is positioned to the left side ofthe LED diode, and blocking element 22 a and LED diode 20 a arepositioned above blocking elements 22 b-22 c and LED diodes 20 b-20 cthat are positioned side-by-side. The combination of blocking element 22a and LED diode 20 a are centered above the combination of blockingelements 22 b-22 c and LED diodes 20 b-20 c. Blocking element 22 d andLED diode 20 d are positioned below blocking elements 22 b-22 c and LEDdiodes 20 b-20 c, in vertical alignment with blocking element 22 a andLED diode 20 a. The entire pattern in FIG. 5e may be mirroredhorizontally to provide blocking in the opposite direction. Thisarrangement forms a second arrangement pattern. Multiple repeats of thepattern shown in FIG. 5e may be incorporated in a LED light display.

Another example pixel layout pattern is shown in FIG. 5f that isvertically symmetric. This example pattern incorporates a group of fourLED diodes 20 a-20 d and corresponding blocking elements 22 a-22 d,respectively. Each blocking element is positioned to the left side ofthe LED diode, and blocking elements 22 a-22 b and LED diodes 20 a-20 bare positioned beside each other. Directly below blocking elements 22b-22 c and LED diodes 20 b-20 c are positioned beside each other suchthat blocking elements 20 a-2 b are vertically aligned with blockingelements 20 c-20 d, respectively, and LED diodes 20 a-20 b arevertically aligned with LED diodes 20 c-20 d, respectively. The entirepattern in FIG. 5f may be mirrored horizontally to provide blocking inthe opposite direction. This arrangement forms a fourth verticalarrangement pattern. Multiple repeats of the pattern shown in FIG. 5fmay be incorporated in a LED light display.

The patterns shown in FIGS. 5d-5f are considered optimized patterns forblocking louver application in some embodiments of the presentinvention. The patterns shown in FIGS. 5d-5f may share the followingproperties: (a) horizontal symmetry; (b) minimized interference betweenblocking elements and LED diodes for which it is not the main blocker;and (c) identical placement of one or more blocking elements in relationto each individual LED diode.

Any one of, or a collection of, the patterns shown in FIGS. 5a-5f can beincorporated in embodiments of the present invention. Each patternincorporated in embodiments of the present invention may includeblocking elements of different shapes and forms. As one example, ablocking element may be shaped and formed as a rounded cup shape. Theshape and form of a blocking elements is configured to providemechanical blocking of individual LED diodes to achieve control lighttrespass from a LED diode, and a multiple blocking elements and LEDdiodes can control light trespass from an LED light display generally.

Embodiments of the present invention may further incorporate a methodthat may be performed by a system and/or computer program, operable toaid LED light display operators and designers in planning, analyzing andpresenting the lighting impact of a LED light display with respect to anarea surrounding said LED light display within an installation site. Asdiscussed herein, LED light display may be of various forms and types,including a digital billboard, a digital installation, or other LEDdisplays.

As shown in FIG. 6 a system of an embodiment of the present inventionmay incorporate a storage element 40 operable to communicatebi-directionally with a computing device 46. The storage element may bea server, a cloud server, a hard drive, memory incorporated in acomputing device, or any other one or more elements operable to storemethod instructions and/or information, for example, such as computerprogram instructions and/or information. The computing device may be anyof a laptop, a desktop computer, or any mobile device, such as a cellphone, a smart phone, a tablet, or any other mobile device. Thecomputing device may incorporate a display and an input element or maybe connected (through hardwiring or a wireless connection) to thedisplay and the input element. The user may utilize the input element 48to provide information to the computing device. The input element may bea keyboard, a touchscreen, a voice command processor, or any other typeof input element whereby a user can input information to be provided tothe computing device and utilized by the processor therein in accordancewith the method (such as may be provided as computer programinstructions).

The method steps, commands, operations and/or instructions, that may bein the form of a computer program, may be stored on one of the one ormore the storage elements and be processed such that the steps,commands, operations and/or instructions of the method may be executedby the computing device by at least one processor (e.g., centralprocessing unit, microprocessor, etc.) incorporated in the computing thedevice. The processor is operable to recognize the method steps,commands, operation and/or instructions and to implement the functionsand execute the method steps, commands, operation and/or instructions.

The one or more storage elements are connected to the computing device,and the processor accesses information stored in the one or more storageelements and the store information in the one or more storage elementsin accordance with the computer program commands (that relate to themethod).

The computing device may generate information or reports in accordancewith the method. The information and/or reports can be transferred fromthe computing device to a computer system 120 of a third party eitherdirectly or via an Internet connection 122. The computer system of thethird party may be a computing device, a server, a networked computersystem, or any other form of computer system, including a cloud basedcomputer system.

As an example, a report that is in a form that provides informationregarding the suggested location, positioning and configuration for aproposed LED light display, may be transferred either directly or via anInternet connection to a regulatory body, such as a municipal authority,or another organization, for review and approval. The computer system ofthe present invention may be operable to prepare the form in the formatrequired by such third party regulatory body. A skilled reader willrecognize that there are many other reasons why information or report(s)may be generated by the computer system and transferred to a third partyand that embodiments of the present invention may be operable to supportsuch information and/or report(s).

Any approval or information relating to the information or reportreceived may be transferred from the third party computer system 120 tothe computing device 42 or the server 40 of the present invention via anInternet connection, or directly. The information received may beutilized by the user of the computing device and/or the computerprogram. For example, received information may be acceptance of the formsent to a regulatory body, or information about further adjustments tothe location, position and/or configuration of the LED lighting displaythat are required by the regulatory body. A skilled reader willrecognize the variety of types of information that may be transferred bya third party to either the computing device and/or the server of thepresent invention, either directly or via an Internet connection.

A skilled reader will further recognize that the computing device 42 maybe operable with cloud storage, such that the server 40 may be accessedby the computing device via a cloud-based connection.

A skilled reader will recognize that there are a variety of possiblesteps that may be incorporated in the method of the present invention(that may be implemented by processing of a computer program, or thefunction of the system of the present invention). One example of a setof steps that may comprise the method of the present invention (and asmay be performed by a computer program and/or utilized by the system) isshown at FIG. 7. In accordance with this example, a user of the systemmay login to a computer program, as shown as step 80. For example, theuser may login to the computer program, and the computer system wherebythe computer program operability is accessible, by providing logininformation that is reviewed against stored login records to confirm theauthorization of the user to login to the computer program.Alternatively, a user may not be required to login to the computerprogram prior to utilizing the computer program.

As shown at step 82, a user may enter a GPS location coordinate or anaddress of a location (e.g., latitude and longitude, or a physicaladdress), to indicate where the LED light display unit is to be located.The GPS coordinates or the location address provided to the system by auser will indicate the pinpoint location of the LED light display unit.A map of the location surrounding the provided coordinates or locationaddress will be shown to the user on the display of the computing devicewhereby the user is accessing and utilizing the system. The scale of themap shown to the user may be set by the user, and in some embodiments ofthe present invention the user may zoom in or zoom out on the map toshow less or more of the area surrounding the coordinates or locationaddress provided to the system. The LED light display unit will be shownas located within the map at the location of the coordinates or thelocation address.

As shown in step 84 a user may be required to indicate whether thelocation of the LED light display unit within the map is correct. If theuser indicates that the location of the LED light display unit withinthe map is not correct the location of the LED light display unit withinthe map may be altered at step 86. For example, the LED light displayunit may be relocated by the user within the map to a new location(e.g., for example, by the user dragging the LED light display unit to anew location within the map, or the user indicating another coordinateor another location address), or the LED light display unit may berepositioned by the user within the map to a new position (e.g., forexample, by the user rotating or otherwise altering the position of theLED light display unit at the location indicated by the coordinates orlocation address provided by the user to the system).

If the LED light display unit is repositioned or relocated within themap, step 84 will be repeated. Steps 84 and 86 may be repeated until theuser indicates at step 84 that the LED light display unit is correctlylocated at step 84. Upon the instance that the user indicates that theLED light display unit is correctly located at step 84, the system willproceed to step 88. At step 88 the system will undertake a review todetermine if the parameters relating to the LED light display unit areentered. If the parameters are entered and this is verified by thesystem (e.g., verification that all required parameters are enteredand/or that parameters entered are within any recognized requirementsfor a location), the system will proceed to step 110.

At step 88, if the system determines that the parameters are notentered, the user will be able to input parameters for the configurationof the LED light display unit. For example, some examples of inputparameters include display model, orientation, night brightness, displaysize (width and length), direction of face (azimuth), the louver model,and/or other parameters. Generally such parameters include requirementsfor engineering and building the LED light display. The parameters maybe selected by the user from a list of parameter options, or may beentered by the user. Moreover, some embodiments of the present inventionmay indicate and require that some parameters must be provided by a userfor the system to function, whereas some other parameters may beoptionally provided by a user.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the system may recognizespecific requirements for a location, such as bylaw requirements,municipal requirements, or other requirements related to signs, lightingand/or LED light displays that may affect the position, configurationand/or location of an LED light display within the coordinates orlocation address where the LED light display unit is located andpositioned within the map by the user. Such embodiments of the presentinvention may offer parameters to the user in accordance with suchrequirements, or may provide feedback to a user if a parameter isprovide that is not consistent with such requirements, such as anindicated parameter for night brightness that is outside of theparameters for night brightness that such requirements permit.

In embodiments of the present invention, system specific prompts for oneor more particular parameters to be entered by the user may be providedto the user. For example, at step 90 a user may be prompted to enter themodel, style, shape and/or type of louver that is to be incorporated inthe LED light display unit. At step 92 a user may be prompted to choosean (azimuth) direction of the LED light display unit. At step 94 a usermay be prompted to enter measurement units for the location of the LEDlight display unit (e.g., width in feet or meters and/or length in feetor meters, or other units of measurement).

A user may add observer locations to the map displayed to the user onthe display that is attached to the computing device that the user isutilizing to access the system, at step 96. Alternatively, someembodiments of the present invention may recognize observer locationsand may automatically show these in the map displayed to the user.(Examples of observer locations indicated in a map shown to a user areindicated as observer locations 70 a and 70 b in FIG. 8.) The observerlocations indicate areas that are light sensitive, or that have otherrequirements that relate to the positioning of a LED light display unit.

If the user does not choose to add observer locations, and there are noobserver locations already displayed on the map, then the system mayreturn to step 84. Otherwise, if a user chooses to add observerlocations, the system progresses to step 98.

At step 98 a user may add an observer location to the map, for example,such as clicking on the map, through use of a mouse or a touchscreen, toindicate where an observer location should be added to the map. The usermay further add an observer location, or provide additional informationrelating to an observer location the user has added to the map, byproviding information relevant to an observer location, such as the feetthat the observer location is to be from the LED light display unit, theilluminance unit of the illuminance that observer location requires, andthe assumed usage information relating to the observer location. At step100 a user may choose to add an additional observer location, and steps98 and 100 may be repeated until a user chooses not to add anyadditional observer locations at step 100.

The system may process the observer locations shown on the map (at step88 if observer locations are included in the map that were not enteredby a user and/or at step 102 if the user adds one or more observerlocations to the map). Such processing of the system may generateinformation relating to the one or more observer locations, includingthe distance of the observer location from the LED light display unit inthe map and the illuminance unit and assumed usage relating to thedisplay from the LED light display unit that will affect the location ofthe observer location. (As an example, a measurement such as footcandles may be utilized to indicate the brightness of any light from theLED light display unit that will affect an observer location.) Thesystem and/or the user may review the processing results relating to theeffect of the LED light display unit upon the observer location todetermine if such effect is within the requirements of such observerlocation. For example, will the brightness of the light from the LEDlight display unit that will affect the observer location be brighterthan the light tolerance of the observer location (e.g., determined inrelation to the light sensitivity of the observer location).

A user can choose to delete the location of the LED light display unitfrom the map, or may decide to move the location of the LED lightdisplay unit within the map (in accordance with the discussion hereinregarding relocating the LED light display unit within the map). Forexample, based upon the analysis by the system regarding the brightnessof the light from the LED light display unit that will reach an observerlocation and the determination by the user and/or the system that suchbrightness exceeds the light tolerance of the observer location, theuser may decide to delete or move the LED light display unit within themap.

If the user chooses to delete or move the location of the LED lightdisplay unit within the map, the deletion or relocation of the LED lightdisplay unit will be achieved at step 104. If the LED light display unitis deleted from the map the user may choose to exit the program, or theuser may decide to delete the LED light display unit from the map and toenter information to position a new LED light display unit in the map.If the LED light display unit is deleted and another LED light displayunit is not added to the map, the method may process to the end step 112and exit.

If the user decides to move the LED light display unit in the map, or todelete the LED light display unit from the map and add another LED lightdisplay unit in the map, steps 102 and 104 may be repeated until the LEDlight display unit is positioned within the map at a location that theuser determines to be acceptable to continue the method of the system.

The system will generate location measurements for the LED light displayunit within the map based upon the location and position of any movedLED light display unit, or the location and position of any newly addedLED light display unit. At step 106 the system will review and analyzesuch location measurements to determine whether such locationmeasurements are within any requirements for such measurements that thesystem recognizes. Such requirements for measurements may includerecognized bylaw, municipal or other set requirements relating to acommunity or area upon the map, requirements for observer locations(e.g., brightness tolerances, etc.), or any other requirements relatingto the location measurements. If the processing by the system and/or anyreview by the user indicates that the location measurements are notwithin requirements, then the system proceeds to step 108 and theparameters for the LED light display unit, including azimuth, may bereentered or otherwise amended by the user (such as in accordance with aprocess that is the same or similar to the process discussed for steps88-104).

The system may generate a light map that may be overlaid upon the mapdisplay. The light map may indicate the areas of light emission to aviewer, such as by showing the optimal viewing area, the transition areaand the light trespass region in relation to a LED light display. Eachregion may be indicated in a different colour of shading, by differentfill-in markings, such as lines, stipple, clear, and/or by othermarkings. When the light map is overlaid upon the map, such that thelight map is positioned in relation to the LED light display unit on themap, and the combination of the map with the light may positioned asoverlaid thereon is displayed to a user, the three regions are visiblein relation to the LED light display unit. A depiction of such a displayof the map and the light map overlay thereupon can be captured in areport that may be provided to a third party by the system and/or theuser.

Once the processing by the system and/or any review by the userindicates that the location measurements are within requirements, thenthe system proceeds to step 110. The system will process the LED lightdisplay unit location and position indicated in the map, as well asother information related to the location and position of the LED lightdisplay unit on the map and the effect of the LED light display, asdiscussed herein, and will generate an assessment of such position andlocation. Output of the assessment will be provided at step 110, as areport.

After a report is generated (and potentially transmitted to a thirdparty) the method may proceed to the end step 112 and exit the methodand/or program.

In some embodiments of the present invention, one or more LED lightdisplay units may be positioned upon the map and the steps of the methodmay be performed in relation to each LED light display unit. The map maytherefore may one or more light maps overlaid thereupon, and a userand/or the method can assess the effect of the one or more LED lightdisplay units upon areas within the map, including light sensitiveareas.

In some embodiments of the present invention the topography or elementssuch as structures, trees or other elements of the location shown in themap may be displayed to a user, and in some embodiments of the presentinvention such topography or elements may be taken into consideration inthe assessment of the method and/or of the user.

The modifications to the LED light display unit location, configurationand/or position, other outputs and/or assessment results of the methodmay be displayed to the user and/or may be provided as a report that canbe printed or can be transferred to a third party. The report may be inany format and may include various combinations of information regardingthe location and position of the LED light display unit and the effectof the LED light display unit (as discussed herein).

The report may be in a format that can be provided to a stakeholder,such as a regulatory authority, an engineer, a LED light displayinstallation manager, or any other stakeholder. The report may beprovided in a format that is consistent with the layout of a formwhereby submissions are permitted to be delivered to such stakeholder.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the report may be in theformat of a form required to request authorization to install a LEDlight display in the location, configuration and position indicated bythe user to the system in accordance with the method. In such anembodiment, the system may be configured to permit a user to transferthe form to the third party that is the authorization body, board ororganization that must review and approve the form in order forpermission to be granted for an LED light display to be installed in aparticular location and position, upon the user's approval for such atransfer. The authorization body may further provide their response(i.e., approval, refusal, comments, etc.) based upon the form to theuser via the system.

The present invention may further incorporate a report that is formattedto include information to be provided to a party hired to build a LEDlight display, such as the dimensions of the light display, the pixelarrangement of the light display, the type of louvers to be incorporatedin the light display and the arrangement thereof in relation to LEDdiode(s), and other information regarding the configuration of the lightdisplay required to build the light display. Such a report mayincorporate a specification for the building of a LED light display.This report may be transferred by the system, upon the user's approvalto a third party who is chosen by a user. The third party may send aresponse to the report to the user via the system.

A skilled reader will recognize the variety of other types of reportsand responses that may be generated by the system, sent to a third partyby the system, and/or received from a third party by the system. Theoperability of the system to generate reports that are in the formatrequired by a third party for specific forms of communication with suchthird party represent a benefit of the present invention as thesefacilities of the system save the user significant time, cost and/oreffort in preparing such third party communication. This method canfurther protect the chain of custody of the form as it is transferreddirectly to the third party for review, and as a response thereto isprovided directly to the user by the system. Additionally method of thepresent invention can negate the need for a separate official statementto be prepared to identify the light impact of a LED light display thatotherwise is required to be submitted with a LED light displayinstallation site approval application.

The system generally provides a benefit to the user over the prior artin that it allows a user to simulate, model and plan the location andpositioning of a LED light display and the effect thereof upon thesurrounding area, including light sensitive areas. The parameters of theLED light display (e.g., configuration), the location of the LED lightdisplay, and the positioning of the LED light display can be amended andotherwise modified so that multiple configurations of the LED lightdisplay, positions of the LED light display, and/or locations of the LEDlight display can be modeled, to better inform the planning of the LEDlight display installation.

FIG. 7 shows a particular method of the system of one embodiment of thepresent invention. A skilled reader will recognize that otherembodiments of the present invention that incorporate other methods ofthe system are also possible. A general discussion of the possiblemethods of the system follows.

The user may indicate a location for a LED light display unit to belocated to the system through the input of elements at an installationsite. The system may locate a graphical representation of theinstallation site, such as a satellite view of the installation site, oran overhead view map of the installation site. In some instances, theuser may provide to the system the graphical representation of theinstallation site to be utilized by system. The user may indicate theintended area where a target audience is expected to be located, withinthe installation site although this step is not necessarily required.The map or image displayed to a user of the installation site is hereinreferenced as an installation site, or a representation of theinstallation site, or an installation site representation.

The user may indicate to the system the type of LED light display unitthat is to be utilized by the system and the configuration thereof. Forexample, the user may indicate the dimensions of the LED light display,the pattern of pixels to be incorporated in the LED light display,combinations of LED diodes and blocking elements relating to saidpixels, any use of reflection minimization louvers, and theconfiguration of the blocking elements and/or reflection minimizationlouvers. The user may further indicate to the system other parametersrelating to the configuration and design of the LED light display thatmay affect light emission that will reach a viewer at various locationsin the area surrounding the display, and the position of the displaywithin the installation site. The parameters of the LED light displayunit, the type of unit, and the other information relating to the unit,may be stored in the storage element. A user may select some of thisinformation from pre-populated option lists in some embodiments of thepresent invention, or may input the information to the system.

The user may indicate the location where the LED light display unitshould be located within the depiction of the installation site. Oncesituated in a particular location the unit can be positioned in thatlocation, such as by being rotated while in the same location. The unitcan also be relocated to a different position within the installationsite. For example, the user may utilize visualization tools to situatein a location, position, rotate, relocation and/or reposition the LEDlight display unit within the depiction of the installation site.

Upon a LED light display unit being located and positioned within adepiction of an installation site, a user can choose to generateinformation relating to the light that will emit from the display unitof that particular configuration, and in that particular location andposition. This assessment information will allow a user to determinewhether display of the information on the LED light display will beadequately provided to the target audience and/or whether light trespassfrom the LED light display will reach areas, including any lightsensitive communities. The user will be able to determine the optimal orbest configuration, location and/or position for the LED light displaywithin the installation site based on the assessment information.

There are a variety of possible presentations and displays for theelements of the system, including assessment information in embodimentsof the present invention. The presentation may incorporate a satelliteimage or a diagrammatical map showing an installation site. The image ormap may be selectable from options provided upon the display to a userthrough user input. The installation site image or map may represent thevicinity of a potential site for installation of the LED light display.

The assessment information may be provided as an overlay diagram for themap or image (i.e., a light map). The overlay diagram may represent thelight trespass region, the transition region and the optimal viewingregion in relation to the LED light display unit configuration, locationand position chosen by a user within the representation of theinstallation site (i.e., the map or image). Properties of the overlaymay change dynamically with the configuration of the LED light displayparameters chosen by a user and the location and/or position of thelight display unit within the representation of the installation site.

Information entry and/or selection features may be provided to a userfor user input relating to the type and parameters of the LED lightdisplay unit to be installed at the depicted installation site. Forexample, such entry or selection may be processed by the computerprogram and/or system to configure the LED light display unit includingparameters such as, light blocking orientation, brightness settings,size, and display azimuth (compass) orientation. In embodiments of thepresent invention the selection of such parameters may be restricted toonly pre-set types of LED light displays, and the selections and entriesby a user (i.e., user input) may be reviewed to confirm they representvalid or buildable configurations of LED light displays. Otherembodiments of the present invention may permit a user to provideselections and entries that represent any configuration of an LED lightdisplay, including a new design for a LED light display. Any selectionsmade may processed by the system to dynamically update the overlaydiagram and assessment information.

The display and presentation provided to a user may be developed suchthat it may be utilized to setup and view the assessment relating tovarious locations of interest within an installation site. Locations ofinterest can be selected on the installation site representation markedwith a location marker (i.e., an observer location or the marker of alight sensitive structure or area). In some embodiments of the presentinvention the location marker may be labelled for ease of reference.Location marker parameters can be set-up by a user, or may be hardcodedinto the computer program. Such parameters can include the units ofmeasurement to be used to indicate the measurement of light at thelocation marker or the distance to the location marker from the centerof the LED light display unit, and analysis assumptions such as the typeof displayed image usage that will occur at the location marker.Selected marker locations can be populated into a list that candynamically display the analysis measurements, such as distance tocenter of the display and experienced illumination in measurements suchas provided as measurements of lux or foot candles. Reference conditionsmay be provided and displayed for the purpose of users easily comparinganalysis illuminance results to certain reference levels. A locationmarker may indicate a location in the installation site that hasparticular requirements, such as a light sensitivity.

The system can incorporate an output module operable to create reportsin various formats and including various information relating to the LEDlight design unit, the installation site, and the assessment of aparticular positioning of the LED light design unit with the renderingof the installation site. A report or a portion thereof may be sent bythe system directly from the computing device to a recipient, forexample, such as by SMS, text message, email, or through any otherelectronic communication method or process. For example, a report may besent to a member of the staff of a manufacturer of LED light displays asa step in a review and confirmation process relating to the design,manufacture and/or installation of a LED light display. If review of thereport is required the report can be required to be signed and forwardedto one or more persons, such as to the end audience who may include cityplanners, city council members, by-law enforcement groups, localcommunity advocates, and any other stakeholders in light trespassconsiderations, required to review a proposed installation of a LEDlight display prior to installation. As these reports are often kept onrecord as part of legal requirements for signage permits, provisionssuch as the manufacturer review process may be included in embodimentsof the computer program and/or system of the present invention to ensureaccuracy, review and authenticity of such reports.

The display and presentation of information provided to a user may besimilar to the screen 66 shown in FIG. 8. The screen may incorporate aconfiguration section 52 where information relating to the confirmationof the LED light display unit may be selected or inputted by a user. Thescreen may further incorporate a location section 54 wherein informationrelating to assessments of the installation site, such as types ofmeasurement, information about any marker locations, and other referenceinformation relating to the installation site and the use of the LEDlight display unit within the installation site may be displayed.

The screen may be depicted to show elements within the installation sitedepiction, such as the position of the LED light display unit 68, andone or more location markers (such as observer locations 70 a, 70 b). Anoverlay section 56 may further depict information relating to theassessment information, and may be seamlessly or near-seamlesslyoverlaid upon the installation site depiction. The overlay may include aforward direction indicator 58 that shows the forward direction from thedisplay. (The forward direction indicator may show a viewer positionthat is central or near-central to the display, and may indicate a zerodegree angle, or a near-zero degree angle, from the center of thedisplay.)

The overlay section may further show in relation to the LED lightdisplay unit and aspects of the installation site, a light trespassregion indication 64 (i.e., a lined area), a transition regionindication 62 (i.e., a dotted area) and an optimal viewing regionindication 60 (i.e., a clear area within the circle that is otherwiseformed of a combination of the light trespass region, the transitionregion and the optimal viewing region, although the area of the threeregions will not necessarily always be shown as a circular shape).

The integration of the overlay section with the installation sitedepiction assists a user in recognizing the scope of areas within aninstallation site that may be affected by light emission, or notaffected by light emission, from a specific configured LED light displayunit.

As shown in FIGS. 9a-9b , the position of the block elements within aLED light display will determine whether the transition region will beto the left or the right of the center of the display. FIGS. 9a-9b showan overlay that is not integrated with an installation site depiction.As shown in FIG. 9a , if the blocking elements are positioned to theleft of the LED diode corresponding to the blocking element, such thatthe blocking element is positioned to block light emission from the LEDdiode that is emitted on the left side of the LED diode, then thetransition region 62 will exist to the right of the center of the frontof the display. The center of the display is indicated by a forwarddirection indicator 58. The transition region 62 has an optimal viewingregion 60 on its side that is closer to the center of the display, and alight trespass region on the other side.

As shown in FIG. 9b , if the blocking elements are positioned to theright of the LED diode corresponding to the blocking element, such thatthe blocking element is positioned to block light emission from the LEDdiode that is emitted on the right side of the LED diode, then thetransition region 62 will exist to the left of the center of the frontof the display. The center of the display is indicated by a forwarddirection indicator 58. The transition region 62 has an optimal viewingregion 60 on its side that is closer to the center of the display, and alight trespass region on the other side.

In each of FIGS. 9a-9b the light trespass region, and/or areas therein,may experience minimal light emission, for example, such asapproximately less than 1 percent of light emission or brightness fromthe LED light display.

In an embodiment of the present invention, blocking elements andreflection minimization louvers maybe incorporated in the LED lightdisplay whereby a transition region is created on both sides of the LEDlight display (i.e., to the right and to the left of the center of theLED light display). In such an embodiment of the present invention thetransition regions may be of equal size (i.e., incorporating the samerange of viewing angles to the right and to the left of the center ofthe display) and equidistant from the center of the display, or the twotransitions regions may be of different sizes and positioned atdifferent distances to the left and the right of the center of the LEDlight display.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other variationsof the embodiments described herein may also be practiced withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. Other modifications aretherefore possible.

We claim:
 1. A LED light display apparatus operable to control lightemission in at least one direction and configured for installation anduse in a predetermined upright position at or above eye-level of aviewer, comprising: a printed circuit board (PCB); one or more LEDdiodes connected to the PCB; one or more blocking elements, each one ofthe one or more blocking elements in the LED light display apparatusbeing positioned: in sufficient proximity to one of the one or more LEDdiodes such that said blocking element blocks light emitted from anentire surface of said LED diode excepting light emitted from a side ofsaid LED diode that is opposite to said blocking element; and in avertical arrangement pattern with at least one LED diode; and wherebylight emitted from the LED light display apparatus when in thepredetermined upright position at or above eye-level of a viewer isblocked from visibility by said blocking elements in at least onehorizontal direction at varying levels of light emission blocking at arange of horizontal angles from the front of the LED light displayapparatus as the viewer moves in front of the LED light display alongsuch horizontal direction, and said light being viewable as one or moreimages providing information to the viewer in solely the horizontalangles at which light emission is not fully blocked in such at least onehorizontal direction directions; and whereby light trespass is blockedby the blocking elements at horizontal viewing angles of the LED lightdisplay apparatus.
 2. The LED light display apparatus of claim 1,further comprising the one or more blocking elements configured toincorporate a section attachable to the PCB, and an arm that extendsaway from the PCB in the same direction as the one or more LED diodesextend away from the PCB, said arm being operable to block the lightfrom at least a portion of the LED diode it is proximate to in thedirection that the light is emitted from the LED diode towards the armof the blocking element.
 3. The LED light display apparatus of claim 2,further comprising the arm of the blocking element being any of thefollowing shapes or configurations: flat sided, semi-circular cupped, ormulti-segmented.
 4. The LED light display apparatus of claim 2, furthercomprising any of the following elements configured to block lightemission from the LED diode that the blocking element is positionedproximate to: a fin, a ridge, and a cup.
 5. The LED light displayapparatus of claim 1, further comprising three or more viewing regionsin the area surrounding the LED light display apparatus when in thepredetermined upright position at or above eye-level of the viewer,including at least the following: a first viewing region that is infront of the LED light display apparatus and within a range of anglesfrom the front of the LED light display apparatus wherein light emissionfrom the LED light display apparatus is visible by a viewer; a secondviewing region that is within a range of angles from the front of theLED light display apparatus that is farther from the front of LED lightdisplay apparatus than the first viewing region, wherein light emissionfrom the LED light display apparatus is diminished; and a third viewingregion that is within a range of angles from the front of the LED lightdisplay apparatus that is farther from the front of the LED lightdisplay apparatus than the second viewing region, wherein light emissionfrom the LED light display apparatus is eradicated or nearly-eradicated.6. The LED light display apparatus of claim 1, further comprising atleast one of the one or more blocking elements being horizontally lightblocking louvers, that block light in at least one horizontal direction.7. The LED light display apparatus of claim 1, further comprising atleast one of the one or more blocking elements being reflectionminimization louvers configured to incorporate: a light emissionblocking arm operable to block light emission from the LED diodeproximate to the reflection minimization louver; and a reflectionblocking flange angled in relation to the reflection of light emittedfrom the LED diode to block all or a portion of such reflection.
 8. ALED light display apparatus operable to control light emission in atleast one direction and configured for installation and use in apredetermined upright position at or above eye-level of a viewer,comprising: a printed circuit board (PCB); one or more LED diodesconnected to the PCB; one or more blocking elements, each one of the oneor more blocking elements comprising a light emission blocking armpositioned parallel to an arm, said light emission blocking arm and saidarm being connected to and extending from opposite ends of a connectionsection in a U-shape, and a blocking flange extending from an end of thelight emission blocking arm positioned opposite to the connectionsection and angled in relation to a reflection of light emitted from theLED diode so as to block all or a portion of such reflection, each oneor more blocking elements in the LED light display apparatus beingpositioned: in sufficient proximity to one of the one or more LED diodessuch that said blocking element blocks light emitted from an entiresurface of said LED diode excepting light emitted from a side of saidLED diode that is opposite to said blocking element; and in a verticalarrangement pattern with at least one LED diode; and whereby lightemitted from the LED light display apparatus when in the predeterminedupright position at or above eye-level of a viewer is blocked fromvisibility in at least one horizontal direction at a range of anglesfrom the front of the LED light display apparatus in such direction, andsaid light being viewable as one or more images providing information tothe viewer in solely the unblocked directions; and whereby lighttrespass is blocked at horizontal viewing angles of the LED lightdisplay apparatus.
 9. The LED light display apparatus of claim 8,further comprising the one or more blocking elements configured toincorporate a section attachable to the PCB, and an arm that extendsaway from the PCB in the same direction as the one or more LED diodesextend away from the PCB, said arm being operable to block the lightfrom at least a portion of the LED diode it is proximate to in thedirection that the light is emitted from the LED diode towards the armof the blocking element.
 10. The LED light display apparatus of claim 9,further comprising the arm of the blocking element being any of thefollowing shapes or configurations: flat sided, semi-circular cupped, ormulti-segmented.
 11. The LED light display apparatus of claim 9, furthercomprising any of the following elements configured to block lightemission from the LED diode that the blocking element is positionedproximate to: a fin, a ridge, and a cup.
 12. The LED light displayapparatus of claim 8, further comprising three or more viewing regionsin the area surrounding the LED light display apparatus when in thepredetermined upright position at or above eye-level of a viewer,including at least the following: a first viewing region that is infront of the LED light display apparatus and within a range of anglesfrom the front of the LED light display apparatus wherein light emissionfrom the LED light display apparatus is visible by a viewer; a secondviewing region that is within a range of angles from the front of theLED light display apparatus that is farther from the front of LED lightdisplay apparatus than the first viewing region, wherein light emissionfrom the LED light display apparatus is diminished; and a third viewingregion that is within a range of angles from the front of the LED lightdisplay apparatus that is farther from the front of the LED lightdisplay apparatus than the second viewing region, wherein light emissionfrom the LED light display apparatus is eradicated or nearly-eradicated.13. The LED light display apparatus of claim 8, further comprising atleast one of the one or more blocking elements being horizontally lightblocking louvers, that block light in at least one horizontal direction.14. An apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein each pair of blockingelements in the array is configured to block all direct lines of sightfrom the light trespass viewing region to the respective diode.
 15. AnLED light display apparatus configured for installation and use in apredetermined upright position at or above eye-level of a viewer,comprising: a printed circuit board (PCB); LED diodes that areoperatively connected to the PCB and oriented in horizontal rows whenthe apparatus is in the predetermined upright position; and an array ofblocking elements arranged in pairs, wherein the blocking elements ineach pair are located at horizontally opposite sides of a respectivediode when the apparatus is in the predetermined upright position, andeach pair of blocking elements is configured to define distinct viewingregions with reference to horizontal angles at the front of therespective diode, including: an optimal viewing region within a range offirst horizontal angles, wherein light from the respective diode is notblocked by the blocking elements; a transition viewing region locatedhorizontally beside the optimal viewing region within a range of secondhorizontal angles greater than the first horizontal angles, whereinlight is partially blocked by the blocking elements; and a lighttrespass viewing region located horizontally beside the transitionviewing region within a range of third horizontal angles greater thanthe second horizontal angles, wherein light is fully or nearly fullyblocked by the blocking elements.